Reporter Colum Coomey meets up with Kevin O’Connor, whose book ‘Sweetie, is expected to hit the big screen in 2012
LIMERICK-BORN journalist Kevin O’Connor, is delighted that his personal insight into Charlie Haughey will soon be brought to the big screen.
“I sat in a privileged position for 25 years as Dáil correspondent for the Irish Independent. While sitting there, I witnessed the dramatic events which unfolded”The film script which is based on his book, Sweetie: How Haughey Spent his Money, that was published in 1999, will chart Haughey’s career from the Arms Crisis in the 1970s, right up to the two separate tribunals and into his financial affairs.
“Production will begin in the Dublin/Wicklow at the start of 2012 and the film should be released in 2013”.
Anthony Hopkins is his preferred choice for the lead role.
“He has the same hooded eyes as Haughey,” said the journalist.
However he would also recommend his Wicklow neighbour Daniel Day Lewis, in the role.
“He is an outstanding actor. He lives about four miles from us here in Roundwood and he ran out of petrol on his motorbike on our road a few years ago. We gave him some petrol and sent him on his way. Maybe now he can return the favour”.
To play Haughey’s mistress Terry Keane, he has a preference for British actress Brenda Blethyn.
An updated edition of his book will also be published to coincide with the film release.
“When I launched the book in 1999, a lot of people came to me with more information.
“I have now updated several aspects and included new disclosures about his financial dealings.
“He accumulated up to €45 million during his career, and I believe it is only a fraction of the actual sum”.
So, just what was his relationship with Haughey like when he worked the Dáil?
“Very few journalists were close to Charlie. On one occasion a member of the Labour Party made an allegation against him, I investigated this and discovered documentary evidence proving it was false.
“I met him shortly after and he put out his hand to greet me. He always knew that I would report it as it was”.
What can people expect from the cinematic version of Charles Haughey’s career?
“It goes behind the scenes to cover every aspect of the career of an astute politician.
“It is a story of courage for the people who exposed him, as well as a story of corruption and deception”.
However, it also marks the major achievements of the man he described as a genius.
“The Irish Financial Services Centre, which now employs 18,000 people, was ignored by Garret Fitzgerald, but Haughey drove it forward”.
Writing a film script was a new departure for the journalist.
“I read all of the books on screenplay writing and it was a totally different experience”.
There has been a lot of interest in the film script since it was announced recently. “My phone hasn’t stopped ringing. I’ve already had two calls from radio stations in the United States”. Kevin left Limerick to become a regional correspondent with the Irish Press.
“I covered the Troubles in Northern Ireland and reported from Derry in 1969 when the British soldiers arrived”.
He later worked as news editor for the Sunday Independent.
“I worked in Dáil and broke several world exclusives in my column Backchat, as I observed Charlie Haughey”.
The youngest of eight, Kevin was born on Glentworth Street.
Three of his older brothers have passed away, including Des, who played the lead role in a show off Broadway.
His brother Der, who is a Redemptorist priest in Galway, worked in Brazil for 20 years.
He thanked his producer Adrian Devane, for the support he has given him while working on the script.
“Adrian worked with Ardmore Studies on Reign of FIre and Apocalypto, so he is a top quality producer”.
